Electric switch mechanisms



Sept. 15, 1936. G. WAAGE ELECTRIC SWITCH MECHANISMS Filed May 16, 1935Patented Sept. 15, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIQE 2 Claims.

The main objects of this invention are to provide an improved form ofelectric switch mechanism, particularly of the type for controlling aplurality of difierent circuits; to provide an im- 5 proved separatorfor actuating the movable contact of an electric switch; and to providea reliable and inexpensive switch mechanism of this kind which isespecially adapted for use on an electric fiat iron to control the heatof the iron.

An illustrative embodiment of this invention is shown in theaccompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of an improved switch mechanism with bothcontacts open.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 are fragmentary plan views showing changed positionsof the rotatable separator.

Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are transverse sections taken on the lines 55, 66,'I'I and 88 of Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively.

Figures 9 and 10 are enlarged sections taken on the lines 9-9 and II0,respectively, of Figure 1.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view of the switch and circuits.

Inasmuch as a switch mechanism embodying this invention may be used inconnection with many different types of electric appliances no applianceis illustrated in the drawing.

As shown in Fig. 11, the switch may be used for controlling a pair ofindependent circuits such as used in connection with an electric fiatiron where it is desirable to obtain a low heat, medium heat and. highheat. In one of the circuits, is a resistance element I of lowresistance and in the other circuit is an element 2 of higherresistance.

The improved switch mechanism embodying this invention is adapted toclose either circuit independently of the other for obtaining either lowor medium heat and is also adapted to close both circuits for obtaininghigh heat.

In the form shown, the switch comprises a conductor plate 3 secured to asupporting strap 4 by screws but insulated therefrom by a sheet ofinsulating material 6.

Mounted on the conductor plate 3 is a pair of fixed contact elements Iand 8 adapted to cooperate with a pair of movable contact elements 9 andII), respectively, carried by resilient concluctor arms II and I2 whichtend to urge the movable contacts into closed position.

Formed on the conductor plate 3 is a pair of ofiset portions I3 to whichthe arms II and I2, respectively, are secured by bolts I4, the heads ofwhich are located within channels I5 formed by the offset portions.These bolts are insulated from the conductor plate by insulating washersI6, H and I8 as clearly shownin Fig. 10.

The arm I2 is connected to a conductor strip IS wired to the resistanceelement I and the arm H is connected to a conductor strip 26 wired tothe resistance element 2. Both resistance elements are connected inparallel to one of the supply wires 2!. The other supply wire 22 isconnected to a conductor strip 23 which is electrical- 1y connected tothe conductor plate 3.

It will thus be apparent that by closing the contacts 8-H the circuit ofelement I is closed, and by closing the contacts 'I9, the circuit ofelement 2 is closed. By closing both circuits simultaneously both of theresistance elements are in operation.

The improved means for effecting the operation of the movable contactscomprises a rotatable separator disc 24 having a face 25 adapted toslidably engage the heads 26 of bolts 21 which are mounted on the freeends of the arms I I-I2. The bolts 21 are insulated from the arms II--I2by insulation washers 28, 29 and 30 as shown in Fig. 9. The disc 24 isnot a conductor. It serves merely as a separator for urging the arms III2 away from the contacts 'I8 for opening the circuits.

The disc 24- has a pin 3| which is rotatably supported on the support 4and which may be provided with a handle 32 for manual operation.

Formed in the disc is an arcuate slot 33 which receives a pin 34 on thesupport 4 for limiting the rotary movement of the separator.

Also formed in the separator disc, are three pockets or recesses 35, 36and 31 for receiving the bolt heads 26 when the separator is turned soas to permit the arms II and I2 to close the contacts. The rims of therecesses are tapered to form cams 38 which are adapted to force the boltheads 26 out of the recesses when the separator is operated.

In order to permit the independent closing of either circuit or thesimultaneous closing of both circuits, the recesses 35, 36 and 31 arepreferably spaced as shown.

The off position of the switch is shown in Figs. 1 and 11. The spacingbetween the recesses -36 is greater than the spacing between the boltheads 26 so that, when the head 26 of arm I2 occupies the recess 35, asshown in Figs. 2 and 6 for closing the circuit of resistance element I,the head of arm II engages the face 25 of disc 24 for holding thecontact 9 retracted, and the low heat circuit is closed. Upon furthermovement of the separator, the rim 38 of recess forces the head 26 ofarm I2 out of recess 35 and the head of arm ll engages the recess 36, asshown in Figs. 3 and 7, thereby opening the low heat circuit and closingthe medium heat circuit.

The spacing between recesses 36 and 31 is the same as that between theheads 26 so that, upon further rotation of the separator, both of theheads 26 may be seated in the recesses, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8,thereby closing both circuits for obtaining high heat.

Although but one'specific embodiment of this invention has been hereinshown and described, it will be understood that details of theconstruction shown may be altered without departing from the spirit ofthe invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim: a

1. In an electric switch mechanism for controlling an electric circuithaving two branches in parallel, a conductor plate in said circuit, apair of fixed contacts on said conductor plate, a pair of resilientconductor arms secured to and insulated from said conductorplate'respectively located in the branches of said circuit and carryingmovable contacts normally urged by the resiliency of said arms .intocontact with said fixed contacts, bearing parts on corresponding ends ofsaid arms, and a rotatable separator engag ing said bearing parts tohold sai-d movable contacts out of engagement with said fixed contacts,said separator having a plurality of recesses adapted to seat saidbearing parts and so located thereon that in one position of saidseparator the 1 contacts controlling one of said branches only areclosed, in a second position the contacts controlling the other of saidbranches only are closed, in a third position thereof the contactscontrolling both of said branches are closed, and in a fourth positionthereof all of said contacts are open.

2. In an electric switch mechanism for controlling an electric circuithaving two branches in parallel, a fiat conductor plate in said circuit,a pair of fixed contacts on said conductor plate, a pair of resilientconductor arms secured at one end thereof to and insulated from saidconductor plate respectively located in the branches of said circuit andcarrying movable contacts normally urged by the resiliency of said armsinto contact with said fixed contacts, bearing parts on the other endsof said arms, and a rotatable separator disc mounted on an axis normalto the plane of said conductor plate, one face of which disc engagessaid bearing parts to hold said movable contacts out of engagement withsaid fixed contacts, said face formed with a plurality of recessesadapted to seat said bearing parts and so spaced around the axis of saiddisc that in one position of said disc the contacts controlling one ofsaid branches only are closed, in a second position thereof the contactscontrolling the other of said branches only are closed, in a thirdposition thereof the contacts controlling both of said branches areclosed, and in a fourth position thereof all of said contacts are open.

' GILBERT WAAGE.

